Apparatus for use as a keepsake

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use as a keepsake for at least one of a child and a preselected pet. The apparatus comprises a bottom member having a cavity portion disposed in a top surface thereof for receiving at least one preselected item therein. There is a cavity cover member hinged adjacent one edge thereof for protecting the preselected item that is disposed in the cavity. A lid member is hingedly engaged with the bottom member. The lid member has a cavity portion disposed in an inner surface thereof for receiving a photograph therein of the at least one of a child and a preselected pet. A securing means is engageable with each of at least a portion of a back surface of the photograph and at least a portion of an exposed surface of the cavity portion in the lid member and a lock means that is engageable with each of the bottom member and the lid member for maintaining the lid member in a closed position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims priority benefit fromU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/752,469 filed Dec. 21, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a keepsake, and, morespecifically the present invention relates to a keepsake that invokesthe memory of a child or a pet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Keepsakes have been used for many years by individuals as an aid inremembering an important event, occasion, person or thing. Somekeepsakes are mounted in prominent places in an individual's home, suchas photographs that are mounted on a wall or sit on a mantle with apicture of someone or something to be remembered. While other keepsakesmay be small enough to be carried in a purse or pocket of an individual.There have been many instances of keepsakes for individuals who havebeen important to individual. However, in today's society with theincreased interest in pets it would be extremely useful to provide akeepsake for a pet that was an important part of a person's family.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention provides an apparatus for use as akeepsake for at least one of a child and a preselected pet. Theapparatus comprises a bottom member having a cavity portion disposed ina top surface thereof for receiving at least one preselected itemtherein. There is a cavity cover member hinged adjacent one edge thereoffor protecting the preselected item that is disposed in the cavity. Alid member is hingedly engaged with the bottom member. The lid memberhas a cavity portion disposed in an inner surface thereof for receivinga photograph therein of the at least one of a child and a preselectedpet. A securing means is engageable with each of at least a portion of aback surface of the photograph and at least a portion of an exposedsurface of the cavity portion in the lid member and a lock means that isengageable with each of the bottom member and the lid member formaintaining the lid member in a closed position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a keepsake for remembering a child or a loved pet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a keepsake whichincludes a picture of such child and/or such pet.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a keepsakewith an item associated with such child and such pet.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent after a full reading of the following detaileddescription, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attacheddrawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention in the closed modeaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention in an open mode wherein theinside of the apparatus is visible.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the invention in a closed mode as seen inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is top view of the lid member showing the cavity portion withmagnetic members used to hold a photograph.

FIG. 5 is a back view of a photograph showing the magnetic members usedto secure the photograph to the cavity portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTSOF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identicalcomponents which have identical functions have been designated byidentical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated inthe drawings.

The present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10,for use as a keepsake for at least one of a child and a preselected pet.The apparatus 10 comprises a bottom member 2 having a first cavityportion 4 disposed in a top surface thereof for is receiving at leastone preselected item 6 therein. There is a cavity cover member 8 hingedadjacent one edge thereof for protecting the preselected item 6 that isdisposed in the first cavity portion 4. It should be noted that suchcavity cover member 8 should be transparent so that preselected item 6is always in view. A lid member 12 is hingedly engaged with the bottommember 2. The lid member 12 has a second cavity portion 14 disposed inan inner surface of the lid member 12 for receiving a photograph 16disposed therein of the at least one of a child or the preselected pet.A securing means, generally designated 20, is engageable with each of atleast a portion of a back surface of the photograph 16 and at least aportion of an exposed surface of the second cavity portion 14 in the lidmember 12. A lock means, generally designated 30, is engageable witheach of the bottom member 2 and the lid member 12 for maintaining thelid member 12 in a closed position.

In one embodiment such securing means 20 could be a magnetic securingsystem which would include having a first magnetic member 42 disposed ona back surface of the photograph 8 and a second magnetic portion 44disposed on the exposed surface of the second cavity portion 14 of thelid member 12 for holding he photograph 16 in place.

In an alternate embodiment such securing means 20 could include doublefaced tape placed on the back of the photograph and then secured toexposed surface of the second cavity member 14.

Such preselected item 6 that is used as a keepsake could be a lock ofhair or any other memento which would have significant meaning forremembering such child or such preselected pet.

The cavity cover member 8 is made of one of plastic or glass and asstated previously it is important that such cover be transparent so thatthe preselected item 6 is always visible. Such cavity cover member 8further has a raised tab portion 26 opposite the hinged portion of thecavity cover member 8 for ease of opening the cavity cover member 8.

An exterior portion of the lid member has an identification means 24disposed thereon. Such identification means 24 disposed on the exteriorsurface 22 of such lid member 12 includes a name of such child or suchpreselected pet. There may also be writing or symbolic symbols on theback of the bottom member 2.

The lock means 30 that is used to secure the lid member 12 to the bottommember 2 is a push to release type lock 28, similar to those used onlockets or some cosmetics.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention has been described in detail above, it should beunderstood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of theinvention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled inthe art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for use as a keepsake for at least one of a child and a preselected pet, said apparatus comprising: (a) a bottom member having a cavity portion disposed in a top surface thereof for receiving at least one preselected item therein; (b) a cavity cover member hinged adjacent one edge thereof for protecting said preselected item disposed in said cavity; (c) a lid member hingedly engaged with said bottom member, said lid member having a cavity portion disposed in an inner surface thereof for receiving a photograph therein of said at least one of a child and a preselected pet; (d) a securing means engageable with each of at least a portion of a back surface of said photograph and at least a portion of an exposed surface of said cavity portion in said lid member; and (e) a lock means engageable with each of said bottom member and said lid member for maintaining said lid member in a closed position.
 2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said securing means includes a magnetic securing system.
 3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said magnetic securing system includes a first magnetic member disposed on a back portion of said photograph and a second magnetic portion disposed on said exposed surface of said cavity portion of said lid member for holding said photograph in place.
 4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said securing means includes double faced tape.
 5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said preselected item is a lock of hair of at least one of such child and such preselected pet.
 6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said cavity cover is one of glass and plastic.
 7. The apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said cavity cover is transparent.
 8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein an exterior portion of said lid member has an identification means disposed thereon.
 9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said identification means disposed on said exterior surface of said lid member includes a name of such at least one of such child and such preselected pet.
 10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said lock means is a push to release type lock.
 11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said cavity cover member has a raised tab portion opposite a hinged portion of said cavity cover for ease of opening said cavity cover member. 